Cuban immigrants were detained by Texas authorities after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, as part of a group of more than 170 migrants from various countries intercepted this Sunday.
Chris Olivarez, spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), reported on Monday that officials from the agency "encountered a group of 176 illegal immigrants, including single adults, family groups, and unaccompanied minors in Maverick County."
In a statement on the social media platform X, Olivarez initially indicated that, from the large group of immigrants, authorities had arrested 15 adults for trespassing, who were from Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela. The note did not specify the number of Cubans detained.
In an update released in the afternoon, the official clarified that agents from the Texas DPS detained a total of 85 immigrants for property invasion, including 11 foreign nationals of special interest (SIA) from Afghanistan.
The operation is part of Texas's efforts to curb illegal migrant crossings in its border area, through Operation Lone Star, a strategy launched in 2021 by Governor Greg Abbott.
The Republican has blamed the policies of President Joe Biden's administration for the massive influx and illegal entry of immigrants across the Texas-Mexico border.
With the aim of "deterring and repelling illegal immigration," the Lone Star Operation led by Abbott also includes the construction of a wall to "secure the border."
Two months into the current fiscal year (FY 2025), the flow of Cubans to the U.S. by land remains unstoppable, amid the largest migration exodus in the island's history.
The most recent report from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed that in October, the first month of the fiscal year 2025, a total of 8,261 Cubans entered the northern country through irregular channels.
Although the number is indicative of the unstoppable wave of Cuban migration to the U.S., it represents a decline compared to previous fiscal periods, such as FY2023, when there were 29,882 encounters in October, and FY2024, which recorded 18,064.
During the fiscal year 2024, a total of 217,615 Cubans were inspected by CBP and entered the United States. This was the second highest figure since 2021, slightly below the record of 224,607 set in fiscal year 2022.
At the end of November, the Biden administration deported 24 irregular Cuban immigrants, including one woman, on the twentieth deportation flight to Havana since they resumed in April 2023.
With that operation, the outgoing government repatriated 936 Cubans to the island by air, according to figures from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) compiled by the news portal CaféFuerte.
After being elected for his second term as president, Donald Trump confirmed that one of his priorities is to implement an immigration plan aimed at significantly restricting the entry of immigrants into the U.S.
Trump plans to eliminate two key mechanisms that have facilitated the arrival of Cubans to the country: the humanitarian parole program, which has also benefited citizens from Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua, and the CBP One appointment system.
The elected 47th president of the U.S. also announced his intention to declare a national emergency and deploy the military to execute his plan for mass deportations.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Detention of Cuban Immigrants in Texas
How many Cuban immigrants were detained in Texas?
The exact number of Cubans detained in the operation carried out in Maverick County, Texas, on December 1 was not specified. However, it was reported that a group of 176 illegal immigrants, including Cubans, was intercepted by authorities; of these, 85 were arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) agents for trespassing.
What is Operation Lone Star?
Operation Lone Star is a strategy launched in 2021 by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to curb illegal migrant crossings along the Texas-Mexico border. It includes the construction of a border wall and operations to deter illegal immigration.
How does Joe Biden's immigration policy affect Cuban immigrants?
Joe Biden's policies have been criticized for allowing an increase in the arrival of illegal immigrants across the southern border. Measures have been taken to deny asylum to migrants who cross illegally, which could impact Cubans trying to enter without following legal procedures.
What has been the migration flow of Cubans to the U.S. in fiscal year 2025?
In the first month of the fiscal year 2025, October, a total of 8,261 Cubans entered the U.S. irregularly. This figure represents a decrease compared to previous fiscal years, but it remains significant in the context of the migratory exodus from Cuba to the U.S., the largest in the island's history.
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